Firefighters battle 'accidental' fire on ninth floor of West Midlands block of flats

West Midlands Fire Service crews were sent to battle the blaze in Hamstead House in Coniston Crescent in Hamstead, near Great Barr, soon after 6am. The fire originated in a ninth-storey flat in the 11-storey building.

Police and paramedics were sent too but thankfully no injuries were reported.

However, while searching the building police did find a cannabis farm containing 16 plants.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Shortly before 6.20am on Monday (January 12), we responded to Coniston Crescent in the Great Barr area of Birmingham.

"Six fire engines and two 4x4 brigade response vehicles attended, the first arriving within five minutes of being mobilised.

"This was an accidental fire in a flat, on the ninth floor of an 11-storey residential block of flats. The fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

"Three neighbouring flats were checked for fire spread but were confirmed to be clear of damage. There were no casualties or injuries.

"A single crew from Handsworth remain at the scene, damping down."

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We were called to assist West Midlands Fire Service after a fire at a block of flats in Coniston Crescent shortly before 6.30am today.

"While carrying out searches, a cannabis farm containing 16 plants was found inside an adjacent flat.

"Officers are remaining at the scene to assist fire service colleagues and investigate the cause of the fire.

"Anyone who knows more about who might be responsible for the cannabis grow can call 101 quoting log 441 of January 12."

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a flat fire on Coniston Crescent, Great Barr, Birmingham at 6.24am this morning.

"A critical care paramedic, two paramedic officers, HART paramedics and an ambulance responded. Thankfully there were no injuries."